I Am So Spoiled

www.marilynshistoricalnovels.com

How can a person get so lucky?  What homemaker doesn't like an excuse to beautify their home and surroundings? Well, I won't go so far as to say I'm getting paid to do just that but it gets pretty close.  Throw in the opportunity to splurge on yummy dishes that aren't generally on the budget and it sounds like the good life, right?

Now some of us like to live on a quiet acreage but how do you earn money sitting at home? The way I do! The fun way! Sure I mentioned the food and the opportunity to pretty up the place but that isn't even the main thing, not nearly.  The best part is getting to know such wonderful, interesting people from all walks of life and far-flung places.
You probably guessed by now I am talking about our bed and breakfast. It's my dream job and I'm looking forward to meeting you next. Maybe you want to share your wonderful story with us.

Everyone welcome!

Hollyhock Haven Bed and Breakfast

Find u on Air BnB in Alberta

No Time to Call the Vet!

We just had a terrifying moment with our adorable, little puppy. I use an old pitcher little this with a more curved neck to water houseplants with than the one in the picture, and Cuddles got her head stuck in it. I tried to pull or twist it off, but that was impossible! Next, I grabbed a stone to break out an air hole for her. She had been calm til now but was beginning to panic, like me! I raced into the storage room and grabbed the vice grip but it seemed to take forever to chip pieces off that in-my-mind-too-durable vessel. But we did it, we did it, and Cuddles definitely wanted a reassuring moment of cuddling after that. What if our daughter hadn't noticed the puppy's predicament so quickly? What if she hadn't been there to hold her for me? God cares even about the little things.

Post Script for One of Your Favorite Pet Stories

God’s Little Surprises
If you'd read this before, just skip to the postscript at the bottom, if you want.

How many of you remember me moaning and groaning about losing our sixteen year old Golden Retriever? In my mind’s eyes I can still see her lying on a blanket beside the bed, breathing heavily. I stroked her and spoke comfortingly to her, but it was evident to all that the end was coming soon. And it did. Sigh.

We eventually got a beagle cross to fill an empty spot in my heart, and I thought he was doing a pretty good job, but you know what? He had to go. We had to let that sweet, wiggly bunch of energy and love go to a new home ‘cause he was just plain mean to our daughter’s cat and destructive?? Yup, you better believe it.

Bye, Rusty, I’m glad you were rehomed with someone who can handle your antics AND adores you.

So what did I do, besides moping around that is? Well, I filled up on a lot of videos that sure didn’t take the ache away, and I looked …and looked.

With hubby unemployed and me unable to work, we weren’t able to pay an arm and a leg for some incredible purebred darling but surely, surely God would have one picked out for us somewhere.  Stephen and I spent pretty much all day yesterday handing out the Good News of Salvation to anyone who was receptive to it, and most were.

But do you know what? I had something else on my mind, also and I won’t ask you to guess what.

It was dark out and we were a long ways from home, but we found one more place to offer our pamphlets. By then we were well pass that lighted up sanctuary with an open door, but turned around. It was then my husband spotted this inconspicuous sign: free puppies.

I was almost breathless with joy. We first found a very receptive audience for our bundle of leaflets then…off we went!

Yes, yes, yes! There were puppies, the most adorable, sweetest and cutest mixed breed handfuls of joy. Okay, you know the rest. One little sweetheart came home with me. Her favorite spot was around my neck so I was gladly sporting a white fur collar while we traveled!

P.S. The first picture I found on Google could have hardly looked more like our little girl.

P.S. We've had this cute, little rascal for about six months now, and my how she has grown! We've had a number of dogs over the years, but none of them have been so sweet as are little Kasa (Cuddles.)  Today was a typical example as to what she is like. We have lots of saskatoon trees on our acreage and this year the berries were particularly big and juicy so guess what I was doing, and guess who was just a-hangin' around just because she liked to be with me. 

If you just said "Aww, sweet," well I agree with you. Occasionally she would romp off to check something out and after a while I'd say. "Where's my sweet, little companion," or something similar and back she'd come. 

And oh, yes, maybe I should insert this as postscript two since it is a new paragraph, so hold on a sec.

P.S. 2.

I would sometimes hang a branch down real low and our little scallywag loves to much on berries right off the vine. This interested me because when I'm picking strawberries, she'll get her nose right in there to see what I am doing, but doesn't care to eat any. 

So long folks. I could pick more saskatoons but the mosquitoes chased me in!

v

When One Isn't Enough

I’ve been one of those people who say ‘one cat, that’s all. Absolutely no more cats belong in the house.’
 Okay, but what do you do when your daughter begs and begs for her own precious kitten. Well, what I did is not what you are expecting, I didn’t say yes and I didn’t say no, but I did say “Go ask your Dad,” so now you know what happened.

       Our docile, completely trainable Dreamboy, a big, fluffy cat, became ‘uncle’ to an absolute rascal. How in the world do you train a feline that seems to be part monkey and part flying acrobat, to stay off the furniture to say nothing of the counters and table? Well, I tried, and am trying with the assistance of a tiny water sprayer. It helps: sorta. That is while I am around. But

That is not the end of the story.

       Good old Sheba died. Our meek and gentle, friendly part Golden Retriever is out ‘rabbit hunting’ as it were, and won’t  be coming back,  and now I was left with a hole in my heart.  I didn’t even know how much I would miss her until the days, then weeks just kept ticking by.

       In my heart of hearts I knew no one would replace Sheba except one with a similar nature and hey, we found him! Beagles are pleasingly similar to Goldens in temperament.   
     .
       As close as we can figure the little guy we chose was born very close to the time Sheba passed.  (Oh, sorry, I got that wrong, he chose me.)

 Ok, but what sensible human would have a menagerie in the house, pray-tell? Not I naturally, or would I? How could you leave such a tiny adorable puppy outside in the cold and the dark? He might get lonely, or worse yet, lost. 

 So when Rusty romped in to join the kitty pair there’s a cautious eyeing of each other for a while but of course that lively rambunctious kitten of our daughter’s soon wants to play, and, well, let’s just say that things got pretty lively until Dreamboy decided to investigate. He is nicknamed ‘Uncle’ and he tolerated his role more or less towards Hercules, but along comes this blundering scamp who is ‘picking on’ his charge.

Last night Dreamboy was pacing around on top of the coffee table ready to give the guileless puppy a lesson with those sharp claws of his because there was a dog and cat fight going on at his feet.  This was getting interesting; we never knew ‘uncle’ would feel that loyal to the little nuisance that had invaded his peaceful existence.

What would happen to Rusty? Would he learn not to be so rough when the kitten’s guardian is around? Nope! In his happy go lucky way he was off to other adventures before ‘uncle’ had a chance to swipe.

Be careful little guy, you’re precious to me. God knew just who I needed to fill that aching void in my heart, and since you bounced into the scene, I’m healing up pretty rapidly.  

not exactly as illustrated

P.S. Yes, even though the dog is smart and catches on very quickly, I am glad we have laminated flooring.

Nope they aren't the same dog, they're google images but which one can I remove?

Even the Sky is Crying

I'm sure not feeling like my happy cheerful self today. About six weeks ago good old Sheba, our dog, took a trip with us to the vet. She is old and has diarrhea. The vet said it was almost guaranteed that she has kidney problems. After all she was part golden retriever, and she has been with us nearly sixteen years. That's well over a hundred doggie years. Everything else was fine so I numbly hoped for the best. 

Lately Sheba has been spending far too much time holed up in her dog house and yesterday she didn't come once to check out her food dish. When I looked in on her, she, although still beautiful on the outside, was skin and bones and looked so tired and weak. 

Okay, that's enough. She has to move into the house. I cannot have her dying, feeling abandoned and all alone, in the doghouse when she has been such a faithful and loyal friend all these years. 

She was reluctant to move in the house, after all the other part of her is Alaskan Malamute, but in this case I'll say 'mama knows best.' Her favorite doggie blanket will come along. But tomorrow we will need to go back to the vet. For the last time. 

How can you put a dog to sleep when she looks up with you with such love in her eyes and thumps her tail every time you come around? 

How can you dig a grave, even in one of her favorite resting spots beneath the lilacs when she is still alive?

How can you say goodbye?

Don't Ever Get a Golden Retriever!

If you’re ever in the market for a nice, friendly dog, don’t ever get an Alaskan malamute/ Golden 

Retriever cross! They might be among the sweetest, most beautiful dogs around, but don’t get one! Have pity, and don’t get one